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Milwaukee July 2^d 1857

Dear Sir

I was glad to get your letter of
28^th and hear of your progress in making
collections in Natural History.

In regard to the plants, I will very willingly
over=haul them, label them, and arrange them
in suitable port=folio's for the University.
I could readily add some species from my
own collection, which now amounts to
many thousand species. Of course the
paper &c to be paid for: I can devote some
time to the work but cannot afford to
draw upon my scanty purse. Should
there be any duplicates not already in
my herbarium I should want the privelege
of keeping them.

For a traveling-press you only want two
thin boards ^{(12 by 18 inches)} of some hard wood, and two leather
straps with buckles. The paper may be
of any bibulous kind. Old newspapers will
do. To make good specimens these papers
must be changed often for others that are dry.
The more rapidly the moisture of the plants
is absorbed the more fresh and natural
the specimen will come out. -